This is maybe something more well-suited to a media rather than an offseason task, but I really think that the S41 class will turn out (or maybe has already begun to turn out) to be one of the most significant draft classes in the league's history, only behind S15 and S22 (I am aware of the significance of classes like S1, S2, and S25, but let me cook). Just going down the draft order, the class nearly entirely filled the DSFL's GM positions for a time, and in my opinion they shaped a lot of the culture of DSFL leadership during that time, in addition to their respective DSFL teams. Furthermore, baz, toofpete, wizard_literal, LeSizz and UptownCord have all taken up long term positions as ISFL GMs, with baz helping NOLA to weather a tumultuous rebuild, toofpete joining him recently, wizard_literal working to keep the Silverbacks' championship window open, in addition to maintaining their excellent culture, and Uptown working to build the Otters back up to contenders in a difficult conference. While I don't know much about what LeSizz has been up to in Sarasota, I have greatly appreciated the people that get drafted to Sarasota on a consistent basis and am certain he has done considerable work to make their culture very strong. (Read: I am consistently upset at how often Sarasota steals the players I want to draft.) Outside of explicit GM work, I know that LtHudz has done an absurd amount of work as a sim tester for Honolulu to help bring them an Ultimus win, and others like CROney, jdc, Cycro, and ultimate have done great work for their war rooms as well (all of those people have been GMs for their DSFL teams, not to mention!). S41 is also well-known for revitalizing the media scene pretty much upon arrival, with wizard_literal, CROney, and ultimate all making long-running series to fill up the media section. Just naming those three people would be a massive understatement when giving credit to the S41 media scene, though. Nearly every user drafted in the first couple rounds made at least a few contributions to media: in particular, toofpete and TheRake did a great job in producing a high-quality podcast, and baz produced some excellent draft media in his rookie year. jdc and jollyjiggs both made inspired video content, and jdc in particular has done a great job in taking over casino in the ISFL. I don't really want to speak too much about myself but it's worth mentioning that I put out some solid media and I like to think that I did a very good job with establishing one of the best cultures in the DSFL in BBB. I also have done a lot to make Colorado into what it is today, whether that is a good or bad thing. (I think it's good). Overall, I think the class is likely to produce at least one user inducted into the User Hall of Fame. If I had to guess, the class's 1st overall pick, wizard_literal, has been absurdly prolific in everything from the PT team to DSFL GMing to ISFL GMing, and has been a signficant leader in the class and has done a lot to help shape the future of the league already. He's also recently taken up work in the Sim Balance Team, and if he manages to make defensive ends viable he would be a sure lock. As for others, I know UptownCord wants to join the Head Office, and he's already made an impact so that's a real possibility. Additionally, I think LtHudz has what it takes if he continues his under-the-radar sim work.
01-22-2024, 07:27 AM
(This post was last modified: 01-22-2024, 07:29 AM by Blix900. Edited 2 times in total.)
11. Luke Laraque's journey in American football began in the heart of Manchester, New Hampshire. Raised in a city known for its grit and determination, Luke's passion for the sport ignited during his high school years. As a standout player at Manchester High, he quickly became a force on the field, leading his team to an unforgettable triumph – the state championship. His exceptional skills and leadership during that championship game showcased the potential that would later define his career.
Following his successful high school tenure, Luke earned a coveted spot at the University of New Hampshire, where he continued to excel in the sport he loved. Playing in the FCS for college football, he honed his abilities and solidified his reputation as a dynamic player. Luke's dedication to the game and his relentless pursuit of excellence caught the attention of scouts, setting the stage for his transition to the professional level. The anticipation now surrounds Luke as he stands on the cusp of entering the DSFL draft. The culmination of his journey from the local fields of Manchester to the brink of professional football speaks volumes about his perseverance and skill. As the draft approaches, there's a palpable excitement about which team will have the privilege of welcoming this talented defensive end into their ranks. While Luke awaits the DSFL draft, the promise of his future in the ISFL looms large. His impressive track record, from the triumphant high school championship to his college exploits, positions him as a prospect destined for success at the highest level. The next chapter of Luke Laraque's football odyssey is about to unfold, with the DSFL draft serving as the gateway to a career that holds the potential to leave an indelible mark on the ISFL landscape. The city of Manchester watches with pride as one of its own prepares to embark on a new chapter in the thrilling world of professional football. 18. With the exciting prospect of a new state-of-the-art American football stadium on the horizon for our team, there are several key additions I would love to see incorporated to enhance the overall fan experience and elevate the facility to new heights. First and foremost, cutting-edge technology should be integrated, offering fans immersive experiences, such as interactive augmented reality displays and high-definition video boards for enhanced replays. Comfort is paramount, and thus, premium seating options with advanced amenities like in-seat food and beverage service would undoubtedly contribute to a more luxurious game-day experience. Additionally, a dedicated fan zone or interactive exhibits celebrating the team's history could add a nostalgic touch. Sustainability features, such as energy-efficient lighting and water-saving technologies, should be seamlessly woven into the stadium's design, aligning with contemporary environmental considerations. Ultimately, a multifaceted approach that caters to the diverse interests and needs of the fanbase would transform our new stadium into a hub of entertainment, innovation, and community engagement. 19. As the season concludes and the anticipation of the draft looms, I bring a multifaceted skill set and an unwavering commitment to excellence. On the field, my versatility stands out — whether as a defensive anchor, a strategic playmaker, or a reliable teammate. My dedication to continuous improvement is reflected in my work ethic, as I relentlessly pursue perfection in every aspect of my game. Beyond the physical attributes, my mental fortitude and adaptability make me an asset in navigating the dynamic landscape of professional football. Off the field, my leadership qualities and commitment to fostering a positive team culture contribute to cohesive and successful locker rooms. Choosing me next season means gaining a player who thrives under pressure, embraces challenges, and is driven to exceed expectations. I am not just an athlete; I am a determined force ready to elevate any team I join, and I am confident that my contributions will be instrumental in achieving collective success.
1. I will review the two Ultimus Bowl members in the Austin Copperheads and Sarasota Sailfish to see how these teams exceeded expectations to make Ultimus runs.
Starting with the Copperheads, they were coming off a successful 10-6 season that ended with a disappointing upset loss in the first round. The team was still quite good, but no one was sure how it would go with rookie QB Jay Cue III under center. But as it turned out, Jay Cue III had a massive rookie year with 4,500 yards and a 31 TD to 11 Int ratio. He was even able to lead the entire ISFL in QB rating, cruising to rookie of year to cap a great season. His two main targets were Zaphod Beeblebrox (1,000 yards and 10 TD's) and Delores Bickerman (1,500 yards and 5 TD's) who both had incredible seasons. Backup RB Jeff Newman also lined up at WR3 in tune to 860 yards and 9 TD's while Penger Tolliver (600 yards and 2 TD's) also contributed to a top 5 passing game. But that might not even have been the strong suit of the offense as Howard Coward powered for 1,250 yards and 13 TD's on 4.6 YPC, leading to over 100 rushing yards a game for a top 3 attack. The Copperhead defense was pretty average, interestingly much more efficient in yardage (6th in the league) than PPGA (12th in the league). The pass defense was quite stellar with 3 players (Zamir Kehla Jr. , Draft Steal, and Geralt) snagging 2 picks. Two other DB's in Robert Green and rookie Trent Thigpen were surprisingly good pass rushers, getting 8 and 4 sacks respectively. This unit combined to under 260 passing yards allowed per game and a top 3 finish. Wälter Gunther and Tank McGibbons were the two best pass rushers on the team, combining for 24 sacks. Mario Moloka'i was also quite good making a Pro Bowl at ILB. Despite the stars, no one else at LB or DE really stood out as the Copperheads had the 13th rush defense to round their pretty average defense. The Copperheads were widely inconsistent in the regular season, flip flopping wins and losses through most of the year but scored 3 TD's in the final 2 minutes to beat the Otters and clinch a playoff berth at 9-7. They were also able to erase a 19-10 deficit into a 41-19 blowout against the Outlaws with Coward rushing for 3 TD's. The were also able to upset the Hahalua with 3 3rd quarter TD's in a 42-35 win to make it to the Ultimus. There they would face the Sarasota Sailfish. Sarasota were more similar to Austin then they weren't, with both teams having top 5 passing games and defenses that were good against the pass and struggled against the run. But unlike Austin, Sarasota had a veteran QB in Willier Miller who threw for almost 5000 yards despite a league worst completion percentage. He was still quite good though, throwing 35 TD's to 15 INT's and putting up a 90.7 rating. The Sailfish had a very diverse receiving core with Johnny Blaze Jr. (1300 yards and 13 TD's) while Thomas Robinson put up 1100 yards and 8 TDs. That passing game sounds quite traditional at this point, but RB Kumquat Archipelago lined up at WR3 to get 1100 yards and 6 TD's while starting RB Ace Anderson also had 700 yards through the air. Veteran Lucius Salem also contributed with 600 yards and 2 TD's from TE. Anderson also rushed for 1000 yards and 7 TD's on 4.5 YPC to cement Sarasota as a top 5 offense. The defense was, like the Copperheads, pretty average with a good pass defense and bad run defense. Sarasota had 2 players catch at least 3 picks with Harley Andrews snagging 3 and Spruce Willis catching 4. The pass rush wasn't spectacular as Sarasota was dead last in the league in sacks with a bad DL, but Max Honestly still had 11 sacks while Ignatious Cleetington tacked on 7 more. The pass rush was also helped by Jamie Orions 7 sacks. Sarasota got off to a hot 3-0 and then 6-2 start before cooling off to 6-4. They rebounded quite successfully though, winning 3 in a row to make it to 9-4 and looking like they would get the bye. But everything changed with 3 straight losses allowing Sarasota to barely make the playoffs at 9-7 after winning a close tiebreaker with Berlin. Despite barely scraping into the playoffs, the Sailfish dominated the Hawks in a 34-21 victory to face the Yeti in the conference championship. The game was close throughout until a 13-0 run to end the 4th quarter won the Sailfish the game to make it to the Ultimus. In a toss up thriller of an Ultimus that never saw anyone lead by more than 7, the Sailfish scored a TD with 1 minute left to go up 31-24, but a miraculous Austin TD drive sent the game to overtime. In OT, Austin walked down the field and kicked a field goal to go up 34-31 with a game sealing interception winning the Copperheads the trophy. SAVE THE WIKI!
1. A Rush Hardman Interview
**Interviewer:** "Rush, congratulations on your remarkable performance in the Prospect Bowl leading up to the S46 DSFL draft. Starting with the first game, a 14-3 victory, can you describe what was going through your mind during those pivotal moments, especially during your 10 tackles and the crucial tackle for loss?" **Rush Hardman:** "Thank you. In that first game, every play felt like a crucial moment. With each tackle, I was focused on reading the offense and reacting quickly. The tackle for loss was particularly significant. I remember anticipating the play, finding the gap, and then executing. It wasn't just about physical strength; it was about strategy, anticipation, and the thrill of turning our preparation into success on the field." **Interviewer:** "Impressive insight. Moving to the second game, a 28-14 win, where you added 7 tackles, 2 pass defenses, and an interception to your stats. What was your approach in this game, and how did you manage to make such impactful plays?" **Rush Hardman:** "In the second game, I focused on versatility. My goal was to be a disruptive force, whether that meant defending passes or securing tackles. The interception was a standout moment for me. I had studied the quarterback's tendencies and during the game, I saw my chance. It was about being in the right place at the right time and capitalizing on the opportunity. These kinds of plays aren't just physical feats; they're mental victories too." **Interviewer:** "Certainly, your mental game was as sharp as your physical. How do you think these performances in the Prospect Bowl have prepared you for the upcoming DSFL draft and your future professional career?" **Rush Hardman:** "These games were crucial in showcasing my abilities to scouts and coaches. They were a testament to my hard work and dedication. More than that, they prepared me mentally for the challenges ahead in the DSFL. I've shown that I can perform under pressure, adapt to different game situations, and be a reliable team player. I'm excited about the draft and eager to bring these qualities to whichever team I have the privilege of joining." **Interviewer:** "Rush, besides your outstanding performance so far in the Prospect Bowl, you also had the unique advantage of extra playing and practice time with Minnesota as a prospect, having signed after the trade deadline. How do you think this additional experience with a team has given you an edge over other draft prospects?" **Rush Hardman:** "Absolutely, the extra time with Minnesota was invaluable. It gave me a real-world taste of professional football beyond the collegiate level. Practicing with the team, understanding their playbook, and adapting to their strategies provided me with a deeper insight into the professional game. This experience has sharpened my skills, boosted my understanding of game dynamics, and enhanced my ability to work within a team structure. I believe it's this additional layer of experience that sets me apart from other prospects. It's not just about the skills on the field but also about understanding the nuances of the game at a professional level, which I had the privilege to immerse myself in with Minnesota." **Interviewer:** "That's a significant advantage indeed. How do you plan to leverage this experience in your professional career, especially as you enter the DSFL draft?" **Rush Hardman:** "This experience has been a game-changer. It's one thing to practice and play in college, but being in a professional environment, even for a short time, teaches you about the discipline, mental toughness, and strategic depth required at the next level. I plan to use this experience to quickly adapt to whichever team I join. I've already had a taste of the professional routine, team dynamics, and the level of competition. This will help me hit the ground running in the DSFL, contributing to my team both on and off the field from day one." **Interviewer:** "Your readiness and adaptability are certainly going to be assets. What message do you think this sends to teams considering you in the draft?" **Rush Hardman:** "I hope it sends a message of my commitment, adaptability, and quick learning abilities. My time with Minnesota wasn't just about practicing; it was about absorbing the professional ethos, understanding the expectations, and elevating my game to meet those standards. I want teams to know that I’m not just a player who performed well in the Prospect Bowl, but also someone who has experienced the professional environment and thrived in it. This, combined with my performance on the field, makes me a well-rounded prospect ready to make an immediate **Interviewer:** "Finally, any advice for aspiring players who dream of making it to professional leagues like you have?" **Rush Hardman:** "My advice is straightforward: seize every opportunity, work relentlessly, and always be prepared to showcase your talent. The journey to professional football is demanding, but with determination and a constant pursuit of excellence, your goals are achievable. Stay focused, be adaptable, and never lose sight of your aspirations." **Interviewer:** "Thank you, Rush. Your performance in the Prospect Bowl has certainly set a high bar for the upcoming draft, and we're all excited to see where your career takes you next."
7. Write 600 words or more on something about anything in the league that interests you. It could be related to statistics, a league issue that you take seriously, or a niche part of history that doesn’t fit neatly into either of the above categories. This must be directly related to the league, so don’t wax 600 words about your team’s participation on a Werewolf server or something.
Throughout the history of the ISFL, there has been 45 seasons. In each of these seasons there have been many individual seasons of stats for each player. For kickers specifically there have been 510. While I could highlight some of the greatest kicking seasons ever (27 perfect seasons to be exact), that is not what I am here to do today. Instead I am here to highlight the 21 player seasons who managed to get below 70% field goals made, and take a look at how they compared to the rest of the kickers that season. For reference the worst field goal percentage by an NFL player ever belongs to Bob Timberlake who for the Giants in the 1965 season made just a single one of his 15 attempts for a field goal made% of just 6.7%. If we actually start to care about volume (minimum 30 attempts), then the award goes to Tommy Davis in 1963 for the 49ers managed to hit on 10 of his 31 attempts for a field goal made% of 32.3%. We do not have to go far from the league's creation to find our first kicking nightmare. In the first season, 5 of the 7 kickers managed to get at or above 80% field goals made. One of the 2 who didn't was at 79.2%, and Rashad Tarkenton managed a catastrophically bad 56.25%. This stands mark still stands as the third worst field goal made% all time in the ISFL. However, this was on just 16 attempts, as OCO employed 2 kickers at the time, the other leading the league in field goal made%. Moving forward a single season, we see 3 kickers with a sub 70% FGM%, but only one of them actually has enough volume to qualify. Iyah Blewitt made 14 of his 22 attempts for a FGM% of 63.6%. While still in the bottom 10 all time, an argument can be made that with a higher volume he would've been better. As a player who attempted a majority of his team's kicks, he was tied for last. We now jump to S4, as S3 managed to not have anyone below 70% for the first time in ISFL history. At this point, each time was starting to find their footing, and only employed a single kicker. Bradley Madlad with the second highest attempts in the league this season, had the lowest FGM% at just 67.7%. To reach this mark, he hit 21 of his 31 attempts. Examining this season a bit more closely though, and it can be forgiven somewhat. A high volume of kicks from 30-39 resulted in 4 misses, a single miss from 30-39, and only hitting 2 of his 7 attempts from 50+. It would take another 9 seasons before another catastrophically bad season occured. Kyle Corbett managed a FGM% of just 69.6%. However, this is the least bad of the bad seasons if we again look at the volume, he had just 23 attempts, and made 16 of them. This has been fun, but only having 1 each season is a bit boring. Well in S34 there were 2 in 1 season. Yellowknife kicker Blago Kokot made 17 of 26 attempts for a FGM% of 65.4% was catastrophically bad from 40+ yards out as he made only 3 of his 7 attempts from both 40-49 yards out, and again 3 of 7 from 50+ yards. He attempted a lot of high difficulty kicks (over half his total), and wasn't great from that distance this season, and had a relatively low volume from other distances, and only missed a single kick from any other distance. The same cannot be said for Philadelphia's kicker Ikick Ballz. He had the highest volume out of anyone we have covered so far with 34 attempts. He his 22 of them for a FGM% of 64.7%. He missed multiple times from 20-29 yards, missed 5 times from 40-49 yards, and missed 4 times from 50+ yards.
8. How has your experience been in the league: My experience so far in the league has been positive. I think this league is a real hidden gem of people getting together and having a good time watching dots on a screen (kidding). I think there are a lot of good people trying to make the servers a welcoming place for new people. It’s a good mixture of taking everything seriously enough to make it fun, but still realizing it’s just dots on the screen.
Who have you met that has made your time here more fun, friendly, and exciting: I’ve met a decent number of people in my short time in the league. I would give a general shout out to the scouting process for both ISFL and DSFL. While the conversations could get a little bit repetitive towards the end of the process, especially the second round of scouting for ISFL, it really did make a difference to feel like they were excited to have you in the league and wanted to help you out. I’ll give a more specific shoutout to TMoney who has handled most of my questions and generally guided me since I joined Norfolk. Welcoming and even-keeled, I think he’s got to be one of the better if not best GMs out there. Have you been satisfied with your players early start: I’ve been pretty satisfied so far. I really enjoyed my time as a Defensive End despite the lack of stats for the position. I think the Defensive Ends in the league are a real undercover brotherhood commiserating and scheming. Was sad to be asked to switch to Cornerback, but it should be an interesting new journey. What was it like being drafted for the first time: I think drafting is fun and I imagine I’ll look back on it as exciting. I’ll say in the moment I didn’t really know what to think since I didn’t really have a feel for the different teams or locker rooms around the league. I didn’t feel one way or another about where I went so it was more interesting to see how high or low I was drafted. Had some good conversations scouting so that was a positive. Comments/Suggestions: I realize this is both difficult and probably been said 1000 times, but the way TPE earning works is probably the biggest pain point for rookies hands down. Feels like if we can have a bank with money we should be able to have a bank with TPE. I think it’s also confusing for rookies to have some of their initial point tasks graded in-line with edits. I think doing batch claim threads might be easier to understand and closer to how most of their stuff will be graded in the league. 18. Sergei has shown promise both on and off the field with the Norfolk Seawolves. While not the loudest voice in the room, Sergei contributed where he could. His convivial demeanor and defensive end analysis became a guiding force, helping shape the Seawolves' strategies both during the draft and on game days. In the war room, Sergei Nunkanblok's helped with scouting new boats and weighing in on the team's decision-making process. This pays off in both locker room atmosphere and excellence on the field. There is only upside for Sergei for whichever team is lucky enough to draft him. He’s open to exploring new positions on the defense including Cornerback. While this may seem like a stretch going from Defensive End Sergei’s unmatched football IQ and natural gifts make anything possible. Consistent presence is the name of Sergei’s game both on and off the field, and he’ll bring that to his time in the ISFL. 23. I wish I could just write “pressures” 150 times in a row and get credit for this task, because that would basically sum up changes I would like to see in the sim. In a league and game where stats are the end all be all of player progress and performance each position needs to have its fair share of stats to properly incentivize and differentiate players. Nowhere is this more apparent than at Defensive End. This is a position that holds many big names in the NFL: Nick Bosa, Maxx Crosby, Myles Garrett, and others. It’s frequently discussed how their pressure, and game planning around that pressure, affect the game and the asset that that makes them on the field. This is lacking in ISFL. When the only real chase stats for DEs are Sacks and Tackle for Losses it can become very discouraging to soldier on despite knowing that your impact on the game is larger than what those stats may belie. Justice for Defensive Ends.
01-24-2024, 03:48 PM
(This post was last modified: 01-24-2024, 06:03 PM by DoubleDub. Edited 1 time in total.)
Task 9 - 320 Words
I think that the decision for Swoosh to pursue being a GM with Baltimore is a decision that has had ramifications for both New Orleans and Baltimore. We know the story now, NOLA gets held over a barrel and told to take their lumps and accept a 2nd rounder for a max earning CB. HO intervenes and BAL has to add a first rounder to the deal. So what has happened since then, in the front offices Mobi has stepped down and been replaced by toof. Toof had been a long time member of the NOLA WR so the momentum has continued. Dude Man who swoosh went to join has stepped down/away from the league and he is now joined by swank. The Nuggets trade happens between Weeks 9 & 10 of Season 44. The secondline go on to tally one more win and finish the season with 3 wins all up. The last 7 weeks of the season were rough on the secondline but there was only one way for the results to go with a heavily regressed CB and a low TPE IA nickel filling in for Nuggets. For the sake of this prompt let's say that with Nuggets the Secondline win one of the two games that they lost be a score or less. The next season saw the Secondline taking a step forward to finish at 5 and 11 with another handful of one score losses. The Hawks were able to make the playoffs again but couldn't get past the first round. Finally the first round pick that the Secondline received in the trade was used on Octavio Volarus to sure up an offensive line that was better resembling a turnstile. I think this trade will be seen as the turning point for at least NOLA, the core is in place now and the coming season will see the first significant step forward from the squad. Task 16 This last season was relatively even for the ISFL, this was probably helped by NOLA'S step forward into competitiveness. The team only won 5 matches but its the fact that the 11 losses were mainly still competitive. 5 of the losses were by only one score and the teams that they beat were of high standing. Of the final four teams the Secondline beat three of them. This season showed that the defense is going to be the back of the team for the foreseeable future. The leagues best passing defense was something that they can hang their hats on, however it was partnered with the leagues worst run defense. Why the discrepancy? Purely TPE distribution. The Secondline secondary included signing Inspector Gadget and Apollo Program. This was coupled with Ezra Azael and Junior Scott (a front runner for Defensive Rookie of the Year) to form a secondary that kept the Secondline in a lot of games. The front seven of New Orleans struggle, Bruce White had help at times from the likes of Gibson, Adebam and Hog but it wasn't consistent enough. As the youth in the front 7 matures I think we will see the defense go to the next level. On the offensive side of the ball the team had a below average offense with its passing game being the bright spot. This could be down to a couple of things, one the offense hucking the ball around to keep up with the opposition and two the offensive line resembling turnstiles. An offensive line that was put together with some IA's and a promising youngster wasn't able to stand up over the length of the season. Only the New York Silverbacks gave up more sacks and the poor showing on the ground is another piece of evidence that the O Line needs to improve. Luckily we have addressed it in the draft and I expect to see it improve in the future
18. Teams should draft JJ WHAT because of his extraordinary size and speed. At 6'5, with a 4.28 40 time, he can outrun most CBs, and then moss them as well. His 12 inch hands allow him to make circus catches routinely, and his max of 650 on bench press and 800 on squat show how strong he can be off the line of scrimmage. He has the size and strength of an offensive lineman with the nimbleness and agility of a slot cornerback. You can't press him you can't play deep, you just can't leave him 1 on 1. The only issue he has is staying on the field with his endurance, but he's been working that out greatly this offseason. He's more than ready to make the jump from college to pros. JJ WHAT will be a force to be reckoned with in this league, and ISFL teams should start preparing for his takeover right now. (157)
27. If I had to create at another position I would pick RB because I love being a skill position player, but not necessarily QB. QBs do get glory but they are reliant on their WRs to make a good play on the ball. RBs can break tackles, and outrun the whole defense. They don't need help. They can run the ball or catch it, and are the focal point of the whole offense. In fact, JJ WHAT could probably line up at both positions, in all honesty. RBs are definitely really fun to watch, and they can put the team on their back. JJ wants to be a bellcow for his team, getting 20-30 carries a game. Being the guy to lead your team in rushing yards is no easy feat, but it is very sexy. JJ wants to be able to help his team win so I would definitely put RB as my 2nd position. Hopefully I can run some Jet sweeps with JJ. (165) 29. The best branding goes to the Wraiths for me. A home run color scheme. Maybe I'm a little basic but the cyan, black and silver is a really cool color scheme. It seems like something a 7 year old boy would come up with and make a football team with, but then again all of the other teams also have pretty vibrant color schemes, so this one feels less childish. The name Wraiths should strike fear into the hearts of any that hear it. The city name, Yellowknife, sounds made up. I have no idea where that city is but it sounds really nice as well. Maybe Whiteknife or Silverknife would have been a better name, but Yellowknife and then Wraiths make it sound like a really cool team. I'd love to play for the WRAITHS. I mean, how cool would that be. The skull is menacing and the hood makes it look like the grim reaper of football. (159) 31. I think that there should be a best Trash Talker award. The rookie chat has already gotten heated up a few times, and the WRs and CBs seem to be going at it already. There's been some clever insults from both sides. Roque recently called me JJ Who?, a very clever play on words on my name. Friendly banter like this keeps the stakes high and adds some fun to the mix. I really appreciate the excitement we all have towards the draft and the season. Anxiously looking forward to seeing my name get called and finally getting some team colors. I recently dared a WR to make a bet with me to see who would get more Rec Yards. If that isn't good trash talking, then I don't know what is. I think that everyone should talk a little more smack to the opponent, as long as its friendly. It'd be a really funny award if all you got was this award and no other award. (167)
Prompt 1 - 854 words
Austin has had a bit of a reputation in the ISFL. True to our mascot, we've been snakebitten for a long time. The last time the Copperheads made an appearance in the Ultimus was S28, and our last win was S20. Now the team once again stands at the top of the ISFL, but how did we get here? I think it would be best to start with the roster. Howard Coward and Delores Bickerman led the offense, with each getting a good amount of touches in a balanced offense. Them, along with supporting pieces Jeff Newman at RB, Zaphod Beeblebrox at WR, Penger Tolliver at TE, and Sean Aldrich at FB, gave plenty of options for rookie QB Jay Cue III. The S43 #2 pick would use these weapons to win Offensive Rookie of the Year. Heading up the protection of their new quarterback was Brandon Mason, and supporting was returning pieces Great Khali and Brock Lesnar. On defense, the front seven was led by Carly Rae Jensen on the line and Mario Moloka'i at linebacker. Those two helped anchor an aging JR Frankenstero and Tank McGibbons alongside younger pieces like Crasher Wake and the true rookie Oops All-Pro. However as we'll see soon, a key addition was Waelter Gunther at LB. For the secondary, the veteran duo of Draft Steal and Zamir Kehla Jr at CB were aided further back by S Geralt and a young Robert Green. As part of the nickel package, rookie Trent Thigpen took over for Wake. This season was special for Draft Steal, as this would be his final season before retirement. The offense was one of the best in the league, rushing and passing very well. However while the team defense was great against the pass, rushing was an issue due to some relative inexperience on the front seven. This gave Austin a flair for heart attack games that came down to a final fantastic drive led by Cue III, such as daring pass calls against San Jose and New Orleans in the final minute of the game. This would be good enough for a home playoff game, but no bye since the team was 2 games behind Honolulu. First, the Copperheads had a date with an old rival: the Arizona Outlaws. The first half was slightly in favor of of Arizona, as they had the momentum to score 12 unanswered between a long TD run, a safety, and a field goal. Austin scored before the half, then commanded the entire rest of the game. The Outlaws couldn't find an answer for Cue III's passing attack, which allowed for some monster runs by Howard Coward to find paydirt not once, not twice, but three times. The fullback Aldrich even found his way into the endzone twice. In the end, the Copperheads dominated their former tormentors in a 41-19 game. The ASFC championship game traveled to beautiful Hawai'i as the Copperheads took on the Hahalua. It was an offensive shootout as the teams traded blows through the first half. However, the Copperheads once again took control in the 3rd quarter thanks to Cue III. He would finish the day throwing 21/30, 358 yards, 4 TD, and 1 INT spreading the love to all of his receiving weapons. Coward had himself another 100+ yard day on the gorund and combined for 189 all-purpose yards. Although the defense allowed a lot of points, the pickup Gunther came up with two of the team's 5 sacks on the day, one of which led to great field position and a touchdown. The Copperheads booked their ticket to the Ultimus 42-35. Neither Austin nor Sarasota seemed quite prepared for the icy conditions of Mount Everest, but play heated them up quickly enough. A tight first half didn't follow into third quarter domination this time around, as the Copperheads would be down by 7 heading into the 4th quarter. Jeff Newman tried to play hero in the 4th with an 18 yard TD run, but with 1:10 to go the Sailfish seemingly iced the game and secured the win. However, you'll remember that the Copperheads have a penchant for late game-winning drives. For 45 seconds of game time, Cue III kept finding Jeff Newman for gains, including a miscue by Sarasota allowing for a lot of YAC. Now finding themselves at the SAR 9 with 30 seconds left and no timeouts, the playbook was pretty open on 2nd & goal. Cue took the opportunity to find Delores Bickerman in the enzone, and Brown tied the game up. The Ultimus was headed to OT. Austin received, with Cue's passing attack picking up right where it left off. Coward drew an unnecessary roughness call to put the Copperheads in Brown's range, but a FG would be what they had to settle for. A defensive stop was all the sneks needed to be world champions again. As it turned out, that wouldn't take long. On the first play from scrimmage, Walter Gunther laid out for an interception, ending a long drought that just a few minutes ago had looked to continue. |
|